Lily-Mai is helping us get over Mark's death (From Warrington Guardian)

Lily-Mai is helping us get over Mark's death

A WINSFORD mother is still coming to terms with the tragic death of the father of her young child almost a year ago.

Mark Lucas, 21, of Bentley Grove, died on September 11 last year when he was hit by a stolen car as he cycled home after visiting his fiance, Linsey Verdin, and his five-week-old child, Lily-Mai.

Lily-Mai celebrated her first birthday last week, but for Linsey it was a day of mixed emotions.

She said: "This should have been a special day which I spent with Lily-Mai and Mark, so in a lot of ways it was very upsetting for me.

"It's events like your child's first word, first step and first birthday that parents should be able to spend together, but I haven't been able to do that."

David John May, 18, of Cleveland Way, was sentenced to eight years in prison for death by dangerous driving but had his sentence cut to six-and-a-half years on appeal.

Linsey said: "He has deprived me and Lily-Mai of so much that no sentence can ever be enough.

"Every time there is an event in Lily-Mai's life, such as her first day at school, it will just bring everything back.

"I still take Lily-Mai to the grave every day and her first word was 'Dadda'.

"She recognises who Mark is in photographs and will go and give him a kiss."

Linsey believes Lily-Mai has been the one thing keeping her going since Mark's death.

She said: "She is just like him and in a lot of ways. With Lily-Mai, it is like Mark is still with us.

"Mark's family were obviously absolutely devastated but they have been fantastic helping me through this first year.

"Lily-Mai means everything to Mark's mum, Dianne, and has really helped her to deal with his death.

"I'm determined that no matter what that person who killed Mark has done to my family, I will make sure Lily-Mai has everything she needs.

"But, unfortunately, I don't think you can ever replace the love that Mark had for Lily-Mai."